As Taiwan's second-largest city, Taichung's urban wastewater directly impacts the environment and citizens' lives. Sources include domestic sewage, commercial wastewater, construction site runoff, and other renovation operations. The highly urbanized drainage network in city areas is complex, with spatial differences and public-private land factors increasing investigation difficulties. The City Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB) has strengthened enforcement using technological equipment such as drones and surveillance cameras. In the past three years, 89 water pollution law cases have been detected and penalized according to relevant provisions of the Water Pollution Control Act, with fines totaling NT$3,586,000, and violators or responsible parties were ordered to restore the environment.

The EPB noted that two cases of white wastewater polluting drainage ditches were discovered in Taiping District in early December last year, caused by factory storage tank cleaning and home renovation painting operations. Approaching year-end, factories or shops conducting major cleaning without properly collecting and treating wastewater often cause water pollution incidents. These violations of the Water Pollution Control Act can result in fines between NT$30,000 and NT$3 million and cause river water pollution.

The EPB reminds citizens that legal waste disposal operators should handle waste liquids such as paint or motor oil. To avoid legal penalties, cutting corners by directly pouring these into home sinks or toilets should be avoided.

The EPB also urges that septic tanks in community buildings be regularly emptied by calling district cleaning teams for appointment services. Newly established residential communities should adequately maintain their sewage systems, and food and beverage businesses should install grease traps and clean them regularly. Construction sites should set up sedimentation pools with sufficient capacity and operate according to runoff wastewater reduction plans.

EPB Director Hong-Yi Chen stated that to maintain river and ditch water quality in Taichung City, the EPB adopts a management approach emphasizing "education and inspection." Environmental inspections have no holidays, with inspectors on duty 24 hours a year round to protect the environment and investigate unscrupulous operators who illegally discharge wastewater during holidays and nights. Violations will be severely punished according to law. Citizens discovering unusual watercolors or businesses illegally discharging wastewater can call the toll-free number 0800-066666 or the EPB complaint hotline 04-23280380. Inspectors will respond promptly upon receiving reports.